The sun had just passed its zenith.
But the sky gradually darkened, and before anyone knew it, dark clouds covered the sky and a fine drizzle began to fall.
The number of pedestrians on the road immediately decreased significantly. By the time Chen Mu arrived at the City Defense Division, the square outside was in disarray with the stalls closing up, and his uniform was also somewhat drenched.
The drizzle fell onto the walls of the City Defense Division, slowly dripping down along some of the old, unrepaired cracks.
Though it was raining, Chen Mu's spirits were inexplicably clear, and the dense clouds did not affect him at all. As he entered the City Defense Division, he saw that the place was bustling with people.
The chaotic crowd numbered around a hundred or two, seemingly the entire force of the Ninth District City Defense Division's three squads had gathered, now cramming under every awning and gatehouse to take shelter from the rain.
"Chen Er!"
Liu Song and Li Tie were also mixed in there, with Li Tie's keen eyes immediately spotting Chen Mu as he entered through the main gate. He called out to Chen Mu and waved, "Over here!"
Chen Mu had intended to go straight to Min Baoyi, but upon seeing all three squads assembled in such a manner, he had an inkling of what was going on, so he headed inside, passing by Liu Song, Li Tie, and the others.
"Why have you only just arrived?"
Liu Song gave him a slightly reproachful look.
He and Li Tie had been called back while on patrol, and although they didn't know the reason, such a converge of three squads usually happened only a few times a year and was always for something significant. Failing to show up without good reason, and getting singled out, would be a serious issue.
They had waited a long time for Chen Mu, and both were a bit worried; luckily, Chen Mu managed to arrive just before the Head Constables, which was a relief. It wouldn't have looked good if he had arrived after all the Head Constables.
"I was held up by some matters."
Chen Mu, knowing Liu Song and Li Tie were worried about him for good reason, smiled at them but did not stop, continuing his way into the building, making his way through the crowded gatehouse.
"Huh? Where are you going?"
Liu Song looked puzzled at his actions.
But with the nearby crowd being noisy and congested, he didn't hear Chen Mu's response and saw only Chen Mu's figure disappearing among the throng of constables, losing sight of him.
Liu Song exchanged a glance with Li Tie and then shrugged; as long as Chen Mu had managed to get to the City Defense Division in time, he wouldn't be targeted by the superiors, and that was all that mattered.
Chen Mu did not return.
Almost half an hour passed, and Liu Song and Li Tie did not see Chen Mu come back. They were somewhat baffled about what he could be doing, but with such a crowd, they didn't feel like looking for him. Moreover, having gathered all three squads here and waited for so long, they still had no idea why.
After another moment, a commotion came from the gatehouse near the main entrance of the City Defense Division.
"Prefect Qin!"
"Prefect Zhao!"
From the crowded throng, a path was cleared, revealing three figures making their way from outside.
Leading them was Head Constable Qin Bei, along with Zhao Zong stroking his beard, and Ren Yan by their side, all three showing signs of having enjoyed a few drinks. It seemed they had been called over in a rush after finishing their drinks.
Qin Bei's cheeks bore a flush from alcohol as he scanned the crowded City Defense Division and looked puzzled. It must be an important matter to gather all three squads like this, yet he, the Head Constable, had not been informed in advance. Although he had been out drinking with Zhao Zong and Ren Yan, he should have been informed sooner about the matter, but the person who had come to notify him had only told him to return quickly.
"Prefect Qin, this..."
Ren Yan also looked towards Qin Bei hesitantly.
His way of addressing Qin Bei had already shifted from 'Head Constable Qin' to 'Prefect Qin,' indicating that their relationship had gotten closer after the meal.
Qin Bei stroked his chin and said, "It's either some sudden incident, or it's about Zhao's and your matter... but it seems a bit too early for that. No hurry, I'll find out once I inquire inside."
He guessed it was a sudden event that left no time to inform him of the details, but he would find out soon after talking to the Prefecture Chief.
Zhao Zong also nodded slightly, "Ren, you just stay here for now."
With that,
the two headed towards the City Defense Division's main hall.
Each constable they passed by moved out of their way and respectfully saluted.
At the same time, they looked at Ren Yan, who was following behind Qin Bei and Zhao Zong, with some envy. Now, in the City Defense Division, he was the only one who had such a close relationship with the two Head Constables.
Qin Bei and Zhao Zong made their way to the outside of the main hall; just as they were about to enter, they saw someone coming out to meet them.
Hm?
Qin Bei paused for a moment, recognizing the person as one of the constables under his command.
"Chen Mu?"
Not understanding how Chen Mu had come out from the inner hall, Qin Bei's eyes flashed with confusion. He called out, intending to inquire further.
At this moment, the previously noisy outside had quieted down significantly with the arrival of Qin Bei and Zhao Zong. Now, many constables' gaze turned towards them, including Liu Song and Li Tie, who noticed Chen Mu emerging from the main hall and were puzzled.
However,
just as Qin Bei was about to question Chen Mu,
three more people came out from the inner hall, all wearing the blue uniforms of the City Defense Division constables. They were the other three Head Constables of the Ninth District City Defense Division, including Wang Gong and Zhong Chang, who had recently gone on a trip with Min Baoyi.
"Old Zhao, Old Qin, you're here too," greeted Wang Gong, smiling as he saw Qin Bei and Zhao Zong arriving from outside.
Zhong Chang also beamed, "Where did you go for a drink? Why didn't you call me too?"
Qin Bei was slightly taken aback.
The summoning of all three squads should indicate serious business, yet Wang Gong and Zhong Chang's demeanor seemed rather casual, as they had time to joke and greet him. This made Qin Bei feel somewhat strange, and without concerning himself with Chen Mu anymore, he turned to Wang Gong and bowed, "I was delayed on my way, and I'm late. May I know what the Prefecture Chief has summoned us for..."
"Oh that, you'll know very soon."
Wang Gong said with a smile, but did not explain.
At this, not only did Qin Bei's brow furrow slightly, feeling somewhat puzzled, but Zhao Zong beside him also felt it strange. As he pondered and was about to go in and ask, he saw a figure stride out from the inner hall with a square step.
The person was dressed in ink-green official attire, with a towering figure and an imposing gaze. It was none other than Prefecture Chief Min Baoyi.
"Prefecture Chief."
Along with Qin Bei, Zhao Zong, Wang Gong, and several other Head Constables all bowed slightly to Min Baoyi and saluted him.
Below the steps, and under the eaves of the gatehouse corridor at the back, a large group of constables similarly prostrated themselves on one knee, greeting him unanimously.
Chen Mu stood next to Qin Bei and Zhao Zong and also bowed to Min Baoyi, but the term of address that came out of his mouth caused Qin Bei, Zhao Zong, and some of the nearby constables to stumble.
"Brother Min."
This term of address caused Qin Bei's gaze to almost instantly shift from Min Baoyi to Chen Mu, his eyes widening slightly in utter astonishment.
Brother... Min?
How dare he address Min Baoyi like that? Even a Head Constable like himself wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous!
It wasn't just Qin Bei, but aside from a few individuals like Wang Gong and Zhong Chang, Zhao Zong beside him also stared at Chen Mu in a daze, and the closest kneeling constables almost dropped their jaws in shock.
Immediately afterward.
An even more astonishing event unfolded. Min Baoyi, rather than getting angry at being addressed in such a way, instead smiled and nodded at Chen Mu, then swept his gaze across the assembly and spoke in a deep voice.
"Head Constable Zhao Zong, due to his advancing years, can no longer handle the various affairs within the Division. Now, the Division has ruled, and after review by the Chief Constable, to grant Zhao Zong's request for retirement. The position of Head Constable will temporarily remain, but its accompanying duties will be transferred to the newly appointed Head Constable Chen Mu."
As these words were spoken.
The entire place suddenly fell silent.
Countless eyes turned toward Chen Mu, filled with shock, surprise, disbelief, and confusion!
Especially those familiar with Chen Mu, like Liu Song and Li Tie, whose eyes widened in astonishment as if their jaws were about to shatter into pieces on the ground.
...
Meanwhile.
At Butcher Zhang's home.
Having finished lunch, Butcher Zhang was contentedly sitting in the courtyard, basking in the sun, while Chen Hong was cleaning the yard nearby. Her eyes, however, were full of worry as she occasionally glanced outside, waiting for news from Zhang Hai.
Finally, after a while, the round and chubby figure of Zhang Hai entered from outside. The entire person seemed dispirited, and as he came through the door, he nearly tripped over the threshold, staggering a few times, almost falling face-first to the ground.
"So flustered, what a sight!"
Butcher Zhang, squinting in the sunlight, turned his attention to the commotion and scolded.
But Zhang Hai seemed not to hear and continued to walk inside in a daze.
"Xiao Hai?"
Chen Hong, on the other hand, put down the broom and walked over, her voice full of concern, "How is it over there? Has something happened?"
Zhang Hai, still in a trance, walked forward, nearly bumping into Chen Hong. After a slight touch, he finally stood still, somewhat disoriented.
Seeing Butcher Zhang sit up and frown at him, along with the worried Chen Hong and Youying, who was washing clothes at the west side of the courtyard and also curiously pricking up her ears to listen, Zhang Hai's lips moved, but no sound came out.
He seemed unsure where to start, his expression still as if he were in a dream.
It was only after Butcher Zhang scolded him a few more times that Zhang Hai began to speak brokenly, with a still incomprehensible tone, about what he had just witnessed, leaving Chen Hong in shock, Butcher Zhang in a daze, and Youying at a distance feeling as if she had heard something utterly preposterous.
This...
What on earth is going on?
Why would the City Defense Division's Prefecture Chief stand up for Chen Mu, even referring to him as a brother?
Youying's mouth hung open, disbelievingly staring at Zhang Hai. Had it not been for Zhang Hai's dazed and dispirited demeanor, she would have thought he was babbling nonsense just for a laugh.
But...
Was Chen Mu not merely a low-ranking constable without a penny to his name?
Forget a significant Prefecture Chief, even if an ordinary Head Constable called Chen Mu his brother, that would be incredibly astonishing; it wouldn't be something one would expect from someone so destitute.
"Did you see everything clearly, Brother Hai? Was it really the Prefecture Chief?"
Youying still couldn't believe it.
Zhang Hai's cheeks bunched up together as he said, "I... I didn't see clearly, but in this world, who would dare impersonate the Prefecture Chief..."
Indeed.
In the Ninth District, let alone the entire South City District, no one would dare to impersonate a Prefecture Chief to con others. That would be tantamount to courting death.
Youying also felt at a loss after hearing this.
Just when the courtyard was engulfed in silence, Butcher Zhang slammed his hand on the armrest and sternly said to Zhang Hai, "This is good news. Why the long face? Get out of the way!"
Then, turning to Chen Hong, he said seriously, "I've always said your nephew is an exceptional talent. Being a mere constable is a waste. Give him the slightest opportunity, and he would rise up immediately. Tomorrow, you take some pork, some cartilage, and I will accompany you to pay a visit and offer congratulations."
Upon hearing these words.
Chen Hong finally seemed to wake from a dream and acknowledged.
Zhang Hai and Youying beside her still wore a baffled expression on their faces.